Zaitunay Bay: A New Haven for All-Year Round Visitors

On the occasion of the launch of Zaitunay Bay to the public by the owning company Beirut Waterfront Development s.a.l – a joint venture between Solidere and Stow – a media gathering was held at the Eau De Vie restaurant in Phoenicia to present the project. Located on the Beirut Marina and named after this once famous Zaitunay area – which is rightfully earning the reference of “carré d’or “ of Beirut – Zaitunay Bay promises to be much more than just a promenade.

“In many ways, Zaitunay Bay will have an impact that will ripple through the country”, says Farouk Kamal, current chairman of BWD. “Through this ambitious project, Lebanon will have a new touristic destination, creating new jobs and bolstering the economy into one reminiscent of Beirut glorious past. The first skillets of the delicious restaurants that will be featured on Zaitunay Bay are due to start sizzling by September 2011.”

Among other merits worth mentioning, Zaitunay Bay carries proudly the label “made by Lebanese”. With the exception of the overall master plan signed by the renowned architect Steven Holl, BWD s.a.l is eager to promote the Lebanese expertise behind the making of Zaitunay Bay starting with the executive architect Nabil Gholam down to the supervision and maintenance, and all the way through to the restaurant and retail tenants who audaciously ventured into the creation of this destination.

The design is an expression of the best that Beirut has to offer, with beautifully landscaped public areas featuring reflective pools on the rooftop of outlets, as well as vast areas for long lasting promenades.

With numerous festivals and open air activities already being planned, Zaitunay Bay is set to become an obvious haven for all year round visitors, both younger and older generations, expecting to enjoy La Dolce Vita of Beirut anytime of the day.

Get to know what venues will be opening there…

KARAM
The prestigious KARAM Beirut is introducing a new concept: KARAM Al-Bahr. Not only will this Lebanese fish restaurant be located at Beirut’s newest all-year round destination, Zaitunay Bay, but it is also stationed in a coincidental location for KARAM’s restaurateur. In fact, KARAM Al-Bahr will be taking on the legacy of previous KARAM, the family’s restaurant that was present in “Hayy el Zaitunay” over 60 years ago. By the beautiful Mediterranean, it is the perfect venue for lunch or dinner where one can enjoy a wide range of fresh fish and exquisite Lebanese dishes served to you by the creators of reputable names in the Lebanese food industry.

COZMO
Cozmo in name, Cosmopolitan in style. Cozmo Café serves up an international menu including a wide variety of delicacies, drinks, coffee and desserts. Also, a unique Asian conveyor adds a quality to the already entertaining dining experience of the concept. Whether you’re there for lunch, dinner or an afternoon coffee, Cozmo Café will tickle your taste buds while you relish and relax near the beautiful Mediterranean.

AMARRES
Amarres is inspired by the famous bistros and cafés of the Cote d’Azur. Bringing the effortless elegance of the French Riviera to Beirut’s Zaitunay Bay, Amarres is owned and run by the same team behind Couqley. With a cosy interior and a beautiful terrace just meters from the Mediterranean edge, Amarres is a relaxed Bistro and Café serving traditional French cuisine and a selection of viennoiserie, coffees and light meals for breakfast and throughout the afternoon.

MOTI MAHAL
Moti Mahal was founded more than five decades ago and has brought about a paradigm change in people’s mind about “dining out”. Keeping the changing tastes of time and preserving the traditions of fine tandoori flare, the passion for the very best has superseded all that is mundane and trivial, bringing forth the essence of Hospitality with an obsession in culinary gastronomic Indian Cuisine and the best of Tandoor. Today Moti Mahal marches ahead with confidence to light the path for those who would like to share their success and glory.

HÄAGEN-DAZS
At the heart of every Häagen-Dazs ice cream recipe there is always fresh cream, fresh pasteurized eggs yolks, skim milk and sugar. Then we add just like we always have, the purest and finest ingredients.
Häagen-Dazs shop developed a sophisticated palate, where indulgent flavors & unique creations have set Häagen-Dazs apart: flavors like Strawberry Cheesecake, Tiramisu, Dulce de Leche and Macadamia Nut Brittle, a multi-layered flavor sensation inspired by the most luscious desserts of the world.

PAUL
Paul is a French bakery founded in 1889, which offers more than fourty different fresh traditionally baked bread. Come and experience the French art de vivre on the border of the Mediterranean Sea, through a selection of patisserie and viennoiserie, and taste our fresh gourmet coffee and tea.

SIGNOR SASSI
Signor Sassi is an iconic Italian restaurant known for its original simple Italian food and the atmosphere that is talked about worldwide. Committed to the truest taste, finest food quality and accompanied with regal implacable service. The menu at Signor Sassi is a mix of exquisite platters and signature Italian dishes that suit all choices, only to be matched by the divine desert selection. The restaurants sophisticated décor turns the place into the perfect venue for lunch or dinner to meet its clientele expectations.

CAPPUCCINO
A new aroma in Zaitunay Bay, Cappuccino Grand Café from Palma De Mallorca Spain and a leader in establishing their concept in all famous harbors in Europe and Middle East is opening its doors. You can go at any time and enjoy our delicious international breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner and listen to smooth jazz and enjoy our DJ at night while drinking a refreshing cocktail. Come and experience our concept in a luxury, exquisite, elegant and friendly way.

LINA’S
With eleven outlets across Lebanon, Lina’s is more than just a sandwich restaurant, giving fast food elegance & style. Lina’s, with its warm and welcoming décor, is a venue to share a relaxing moment while enjoying one of your favorite meals made from exclusive recipes & fresh ingredients, prepared in a hygienic setting in front of the customer.

THE COFFEE BEAN & TEA LEAF®
For more than 40 years, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® has remained true to its vision: To bring our customers the most extraordinary collection of coffees & teas from the world’s most exclusive growing estates. Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf has developed the finest resources in roasting techniques, retailing know-how and innovative trends setting for coffee and tea beverages.

ST. ELMO’S SEASIDE BRASSERIE
An escape from the dreary restaurant grind, St. Elmo’s serves elevated pub grub in a casual, retro-urban, seaside setting. Packed with ‘crowd pleasing fare’, the look is simultaneously rough and quaint, in a struggling-artist sort of way. Specializing in down-home dishes like rich & gooey mac-and-cheese, the classic fish & chips and a variety of other sudo-traditional foodstuffs, St. Elmo’s has managed to capture the elusive mix of style and spirit of ‘the perfect day at the beach’.

SALMONTINI
A new unconventional mood, menu and design concept from Salmontini la Maison du Saumon The newly developed concept to come out of La Maison du Saumon, located in the heart of Beirut Marina – Zaitunay Bay, gives you a St. Tropez feel while dining on the terrace, serving up daily specials and fresh caught fish.”

ZABAD
Zabad is the result of 12 years of passionate work by the world renowned chef Karim Haidar on a new Lebanese cuisine. In an evanescent environment, Karim creates a world of flavors, textures & unexpected, yet familiar tastes. The menu reflects the Chef’s vision of his native Lebanon after 25 years spent abroad: contemporary, refined, inspired.

CRO MAGNON
CRO MAGNON marks the arrival of the boisterous ‘American Glamour Steakhouse’ serving gargantuesque portions of USDA Prime Beef, bold cabernets, premium cigars and an impressive array of fresh shellfish. This white-cloth eatery is certain to be a destination hotspot for ‘Surf n’ Turfers’ boasting an ambitious portfolio of International wine, a retail butcher, live jazz, an oyster bar, a fellini-esque theatre kitchen and an attentive and informed service staff that will tend to your every whim.

BABEL
“Embark on a Journey of tastes that take you into a savory world of temptations, embracing culture and flavor. Babel’s offering at Zaitunay Bay is an innovative and unique approach to Mediterranean Lebanese Cuisine. The whole food experience is complemented by an extensive and enticing selection of international spirits and wines, making Babel a ‘do-not-miss’ spot on the Marina.”

MYWATERFRONT
St. Tropez meets New York Champagne Bar. Whether its drinks at sunset, Sunday brunch or Friday evening cocktails, mywaterfront; from the creators of the award winning mybar; will be the perfect venue. A very sophisticated design with a large outside terrace will